The latest events in Ipswich celebrating Thomas Wolsey

 “It really cheers the place up.”
That was typical of many positive, encouraging comments from passers-by as our talented young artists created a fantastic street mural in the middle of Ipswich.
In case you haven’t seen it, the previously rather sad and forlorn frontage of the former BHS store in the Buttermarket has been transformed into a beautiful, colourful mural as part of the Wolsey 550 project.
It was created by artists from Suffolk One’s sixth form, and is on the theme of safety and what that means to young people in their home town.

The Suffolk One students did a fine job, says Terry (Image: Newsquest)The theme was chosen after extensive consultation with young people in Ipswich by project partners Volunteering Matters and Ipswich Social Mobility Alliance (ISMA).
On every level, it is absolutely brilliant, and really does cheer up that part of the town.
A big ambition of Wolsey 550 is to encourage people to feel more positive about Ipswich, and this great piece of art certainly helps!
Many thanks for the support from Ipswich Central, Robert Gatward jewellers, Volunteering Matters, Hudson Group, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and, last but certainly not least, the brilliant Suffolk-based illustrator and mural artist Joel Millerchip, who was inspirational.
The mural is just one of the ways that Wolsey 550 will be making a positive difference to life in Suffolk’s county town.
Last week, we held a very special event at the iconic black glass building of WTW, formerly Willis, to officially present 12 incredible organisations with community grants to stage events as part of the Wolsey celebrations.
Looking through the list of the recipients, I was absolutely bowled over by the breadth of ideas and the level of creativity. All so impressive.

Henry seemed happy to celebrate Wolsey on this occasion! (Image: Suzanne Collis)

Over the coming months, these ideas will be coming to life, and there will be the opportunity for lots of people to enjoy them. Find more details on the Wolsey 550 website.
Actually, a couple of the events have already taken place. One was the Heritage Fayre in the beautiful Saints area of Ipswich.
On the hottest day of the year, it featured a farmers’ market, artisan crafts, street entertainment, and Tudor re-enactors. And, there was a chance to chat with Henry VIII and all six of his wives, plus our very own Cardinal, the incomparable Phil Roberts.
Many thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for financing the Wolsey 550 Community Grants, and also to WTW, our sponsors for this part of the project, for all their support.
A key part of the Wolsey 550 project is education.
Our aim is that every school pupil in Ipswich will have learned about Wolsey and his inspirational story before the end of this academic year.
It is all part of our intention to increase aspiration, social mobility, and pride in our town.
Well, I’m delighted to say we’ve made a great start!
Already, 3,000 schoolchildren have engaged with the Wolsey project. We held a special day for teachers recently at The Hold for an informative Thomas Wolsey history session, in partnership with Suffolk Archives and Historic England.

It was great to see Ipswich celebrating its most famous son (Image: Cathy Frost)
They had a tour of the wonderful Wolsey’s Ipswich exhibition which continues at The Hold until October 29, a delve into the archives and a look at how they can be used in their teaching, and then a walk into town to see key Wolsey landmarks, as well as an update from Historic England.
This is all part of the Wolsey 550 education programme.
Staying with schools, and Ipswich School have been great supporters of the project.
Of course, young Wolsey was a pupil at a forerunner of the present school.
On Thursday, October 5, the school is presenting what will be a fantastic concert entitled Celebrating Thomas Wolsey In Music.
It features acclaimed tenor Richard Edgar-Wilson bringing Wolsey’s story to life, and performances by the school’s Wolsey Consort Singers and early music trio Hexachordia.
The concert begins at 7.30pm, and tickets are available via the Ipswich School website.
Thanks to everyone for their support for our project. It really is greatly appreciated.